Open Labour Endorsement for National Executive Committee 2020 Statements CLP SECTION Alex Beverley Plymouth Sutton and Devonport I became an activist to fight the damage of Tory policies on the most vulnerable. My background is working in NHS mental health services and domestic abuse. I am dedicated to ensuring our Party is a place that represents and welcomes people from across the diversity of Britain. I have developed women’s led canvassing and helped increase the representation of women in Plymouth and I am also the LGBT+ rep on the REC I have led campaigns in the marginal seat of Plymouth Sutton and Devonport and we’ve consistently bucked the national trend regaining the Parliamentary seat and holding the council. 1. Develop a fully independent sexual harassment and anti-bullying procedure that Party members can trust 2. Proper regionalengagement beyond the Westminster bubble 3. Protect the rights of LGBT+ members and increase representation in internal and public elections 4. Demand internal Labour Party processes are accountable and transparent To be a party that deserves to be in power we need to be at our best. Empowered movements, empower activists - I hope you can give me your support so as an NEC member I can give you back the power you deserve. Ann Black Oxford East I’d like to thank Open Labour for support last time, and the opportunity to apply again. I joined OL in 2016, attracted by their positive policies and rejection of factional extremes. Their successful campaign for STV should allow the nine NEC constituency representatives to reflect the diversity of party opinion. For 18 years as a centre-left NEC member I reported from every meeting, visited many local parties and corresponded with thousands of individuals. Until retiring I was active in UNISON, and in 2018 they endorsed my candidacy, along with 179 CLPs. If selected I would renew that commitment and work to: - Support the democratically-elected leadership. I will be loyal to Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner, as to previous leaders. - Restore decision-making to local parties, with online participation including those with disabilities, caring responsibilities or transport issues. - Build on the 2017 and 2019 manifestos towards a popular socialist programme- Let CLPs choose parliamentary candidates. Dozens were waiting when the 2019 election was called, and again had candidates imposed. - Review membership subscriptions and give CLPs a fair share, honouring the NEC’s 2018 promise. - Revive the women’s conference again, after steering the freestanding 2019 event. More information at http://www.annblack.co.uk or from [email protected] Cate Tuitt Bethnal Green and Bow Let’s shape and move progressive radical Labour direction on NEC I assisted in setting up London community Land trust, UKs first housing land trust. Covid19 has impacted us all. It had greatest impact on BAME communities, as a Black woman, who worked in an NHS hospital, I have had first-hand insight. I campaigned for budget increases, climate green, legal aid justice for all. Women bore great responsibilities during covid19. We need more voices at NEC table. I’ve served as a Labour councillor, stood proudly on a fantastic manifesto in 2017 as a Labour party parliamentary candidate, sat on London regional board, chaired local councillor selection interview panels. I am trade union chair of a GMB branch. I co-authored a self-help book in 2000. Elect me & I will: • Publish NEC reports so you have more transparency. • Advocate for robust and speedy independent processes to deal with misconduct. • Fight to break down the barriers to participation in our party, for more diversity and for all our members to feel welcomed • Recruit more BAME, disabled, LBGTQ, women, youth & organise locally. • Seek views of CLPs by regularly visiting to listen. Get in touch with me on 07377 219 417 Jermain Jackman Hackney North and Stoke Newington I’m a proud young socialist and longstanding Labour activist who has canvassed and campaigned locally and nationally in both the 2017 and 2019 elections - encouraging people to register to vote in record numbers. When I think about the unprecedented times we are living in and the uncertain future that lies ahead with a Conservative-led Government, now, more than ever, our Party’s members deserve a strong, passionate and sensible representative on the NEC. I am that candidate. I will be relentless and untiring when it comes to amplifying your voices. I will rebuild and invest in a strong network of active branches, grassroots activists, young members and local communities to ensure we listen to and learn from all communities, especially those who feel disheartened and disengaged from the democratic process – their voices deserve to be heard. I want to help prepare the Labour Party for Government, emboldened with some of our greatest supporters by our side. I will commit to exploring new and innovative ways to actively involve member’s voices in Labour’s strategy, policy and campaigns. Laurence Nasskau Mole Valley I’ve been Labour through thick and thin for 30 years. I have held CLP positions in Streatham, in Horsham and am currently CLP Secretary in Mole Valley. I am passionate about inclusion and bringing people together to resolve differences and promote a more powerful united voice. I am articulate and confident, preferring to argue from a position of knowledge so will research and understand new issues before opening my mouth on a subject! I was part of the room that put together the Green New Deal motion at the 2019 conference and have started a Labour for a Green New Deal group in my constituency. I work in Housing and am profoundly aware of the importance of providing more social housing to solve the housing crisis and improve millions of lives. I will argue in NEC for more openness – making meetings available online, ensuring that the NEC works for all members and supports the party in its journey to power. Labour must become the most attractive party of government at the next election. Our leadership is building credibility and must use this to introduce transformative policies that the electorate can see as both important to them, and realistic to deliver. Disability Place Cate Tuitt Bethnal Green and Bow Let’s shape and move progressive radical Labour direction on NEC I assisted in setting up London community Land trust, UKs first housing land trust. Covid19 has impacted us all. It had greatest impact on BAME communities, as a Black woman, who worked in an NHS hospital, I have had first-hand insight. I campaigned for budget increases, climate green, legal aid justice for all. Women bore great responsibilities during covid19. We need more voices at NEC table. I’ve served as a Labour councillor, stood proudly on a fantastic manifesto in 2017 as a Labour party parliamentary candidate, sat on London regional board, chaired local councillor selection interview panels. I am trade union chair of a GMB branch. I co-authored a self-help book in 2000. Elect me & I will: • Publish NEC reports so you have more transparency. • Advocate for robust and speedy independent processes to deal with misconduct. • Fight to break down the barriers to participation in our party, for more diversity and for all our members to feel welcomed • Recruit more BAME, disabled, LBGTQ, women, youth & organise locally. • Seek views of CLPs by regularly visiting to listen. Get in touch with me on 07377 219 417 Damon Cooper Pudsey I co-founded Disability Labour Association Leeds which had monthly meetings at Leeds Civic Hall sponsored by a Leeds City Councillor during 2018 and 2019. I helped organise speakers for meetings such as Mohammad Taj (first Muslim TUC National President, Sophie Talbot (Disability Equality Act Labour), Jonathan Fletcher (Project 125), amongst other activist. A proud moment as an activist was when a transport campaign to defend services for young people with disabilities by Unite Community quoted me in their pamphlet: “We are particularly indebted to Damon Cooper and the other members of Disability Labour Association Leeds” Outside our movement, I set up a group which mixes young people on the autistic spectrum with non-autistic peers to tackle social isolation and work at a supermarket. I want to Work on effective campaigns to highlight disability rights in the workplace plus Come up with effective ideas, initiatives and laws that will hold our institutions to account when it comes to getting and keeping disabled people in work. If selected, this will be a coronation of mine and open labour activism. An opportunity to do more together and collectively setting a groundbreaking precedent as the first Labour NEC Disabled Member Seat Representative George Lindars-Hammond Sheffield Central I am a passionate disability and Labour Party activist. Having cerebral palsy is challenging but has given me a deep understanding of injustices and drives me to ensure that everyone has an equal platform. My first job was working to get disabled people employed in local businesses. I then became an activist and trustee for Disability Sheffield, helping it grow in difficult times. As Council Cabinet member for Social care in Sheffield, it is my mission to transform the services Disabled people need to thrive. It is scandalous how we have been cast aside by this Government - Labour must commit to protecting and advancing dignity, opportunities, and equality for us. If elected to the NEC, I would champion Disabled members, ensuring representation at all levels in Labour and government. It is time that we act so members can participate in meetings and decisions in the way that works for them and are helped with the costs of accessing party activity.